Confessions 2 by Daniel Dubach aka 'Son of Duress'
Memories Part 2
Jerikor felt the person quake and slowly withdrew his presence from the person's soul. 'Are you okay?' Jerikor asked the person.
"Was that real?" the person asked shakily.
'Yes, thankfully you haven't lost your sanity. Most have a hard time dealing with that.'
"Continue." The person commanded.
'As you wish…' Jerikor said before sinking back into his memories and transferring them.
Jerikor woke up under a dark sky. With a heavy groan he sat up.
"Finally awake, Veo?" an unfamiliar voice spoke.
Jerikor spun quickly and saw a tall man with firewood in his hands. "You probably don't recognise me. It's me, Ral."
"Ral?" Jerikor said, startled when he heard his own voice, he held his hands before his eyes, they seemed unfamiliar.
"Yeah, they changed our bodies by the looks of it. I couldn't believe it was you when I found you."
"Ral…" Jerikor managed, he felt sick.
"You need to eat something!" Ral said suddenly, scrounging around he brought out some meat.
"Eat?"
"Yeah, I figure cause we have mortal bodies now, we're going to have to eat and drink, although that isn't so bad!" Ral said.
Jerikor tore into the meat like a ravenous animal and was finished in no time. After eating, he felt a lot better. "So what are we going to do now?"
Ral scratched his chin, "Well I haven't thought about that yet. We have a lot of time, so I thought we should first spend our time getting used to our bodies and the land."
Jerikor stared at his hands; "I swore vengeance on the ones behind our Fall, Ral." Ral blinked and Jerikor continued, "I doubt any of the Supreme Judgement Council knew why we were actually being charged. There has to be something else that is happening!"
Ral chuckled, "Just forget it Veo, we should just live down here. I don't think it's that bad. I mean we can do what we want." When Jerikor remained silent, Ral continued, "I know how hopeless it is to try and talk you out of it, Veo, but at least stick around here for a while; see what we can learn from the humans."
Veo let out a short sharp laugh, "What can they possibly teach us?" he said in a voice loaded with contempt. "We're immortals remember?"
Ral looked at Jerikor seriously, "We may not be immortal anymore, Veo. Furthermore, they know about surviving on Earth, how to find food and water, things that we'll need to survive."
Jerikor looked at Ral surprised, "How do you know so much about humans?" he asked.
Ral chuckled, "My duties had me visiting the mortal plane¹ a fair bit, and sometimes I lingered for a bit to have a look at humanity, sometimes even disguising myself and walking among them."
Jerikor was shocked, "What would you have done if the Grigori² had spotted you?" he demanded.
"I guess I never really thought about that." Ral said easily.
"Idiot, you could have been banished!" Jerikor exploded.
"Easy, Veo, easy; no one ever found out and the information I learnt could save out skins now."
Jerikor nodded in agreement, "You're right. I'm sorry Ral, but I…this is just so much to happen, I can't really handle it yet…" Jerikor trailed off.
Ral looked at his friend, compassion in his eyes, "Don't worry, it'll take some getting used to, but I'm sure we can manage. Now, let's get to work in finding out how far we can push these bodies!" he exclaimed.
The following months were spent with the Fallen not seeing a single living human being as they pushed their physical bodies as far as they could. They hunted the ferocious animals that lurked in the rugged mountains and forests with their bare hands, and many a time one of them was barely saved from being eaten by the animals that they hunted. Using the animal's skin to create cloaks to keep warm, and fashioning crude weapons using the teeth and claws of the large predators, they eventually became used to their bodies. Deciding that they knew enough about survival and their bodies, they set out to find humans, to learn what they could. Travelling at night by the stars and by day by using the sun as navigation the two Fallen strode over mountains, through forests, wound their way through canyons and crossed mighty rivers.
After almost two months of travel, they came across signs of civilisation. The night before the two had seen from a distance lights in the distance. These did not flicker like a camp fire, but shone steadily, signalling some form of building. They ran all through the night and in the early morning cam across a neatly paved road. Following the road for an hour, the two finally caught signs of civilisation. It was not as they had expected.
A walled town was in the middle of a crossroads; gates were set at all the compass points. Beyond the wall, the two could make out many chimneys and a large temple like building in the middle of the town. The roofs were all angular and curved slightly at the ends, and the roofs cumulated to a single centre point. But it was not the strange buildings that caught the attention of Ral and Jerikor. Instead, it was the battle that was raging in front of one of the gates.
Thirty or so men on horses were riding around and cutting at a smaller group of men in the centre. The men in the middle wielded spears and clumped together, it looked like a small porcupine. The gates were closed, and from the walls many anguished faces could be seen. As the two Angels watched, they saw the men on horses dart in and cut at the men, laughing all the while as they slowly killed their opponents.
"We've got to do something!" Ral exclaimed.
"Come on!" shouted Jerikor as he charged towards the men on horses. The two angels sprinted towards the men on horses, yelling fierce battle cries as they went. A man spotted them, and grabbed some of his friends and rode towards the two, laughing loudly. The first one swung downwards at Jerikor, trying to decapitate him with his sword, dodging quickly, Jerikor grabbed the man's wrist and swung up behind him, drawing his dagger and plunging it into the man's throat three times before standing up and somersaulted towards another rider. The rider tried to hack Jerikor from the air, but Jerikor rolled in mid air and kicked the man solidly with both feet, vaulting him off the saddle and beneath the hooves of another horse.
Meanwhile, Ral used his spear as he rolled out of the way as the first rider tried to trample him under the hooves of his horse. Stabbing out, Ral pierced the man's jacket and the spear tip plunged into the man's heart. Without pause, Ral withdrew the spear and with a lightning quick movement swung it around and smacked another rider from the saddle using the spear as a quarterstaff before plunging the spear through the man's throat. At the same time Jerikor threw one of his daggers and it embedded itself in the last man's throat.
Without pause, the two Angels grabbed some fallen weaponry, Jerikor seized two swords and used one in each hand as he rode towards the large group of horsemen who had reorganised themselves to attack the more dangerous threat, whilst Ral wielded a fallen axe and charged forward on foot. As the horsemen charged the two, Jerikor stood up on his saddle and slashed left and right, killing horsemen with every stroke whilst ignoring his own injuries. Ral rolled through the legs of horses and chopped riders from their saddles before they were even aware of his presence. Within minutes the horsemen were reduced to a mere handful of men, and when the spear-wielding warriors charged their rear, the remaining horsemen broke and fled. The two angels stood on the field of battle, utterly drained by their exertions. The spear-armed warriors advanced cautiously, obviously not trusting the two savagely dressed strangers.
"Veo, I think it's best if these people think we mean them no harm," Ral said before lowering his axe.
"I don't like the idea of being unarmed, but I think you'd know best, Ral," Veo agreed grudgingly and dropped his swords. The spear-armed men looked at each other and shouldered their weapons, and indicated that the two should follow them.
As the two Angels made their way through the town, many people stared at the strange men. They were tall and fair, they towered over the men that led them and were fair skinned were the inhabitants of the town were short and had a tinge to their skin.
"Where are you taking us?" asked Ral.
"I don't think they understand you at all, Ral," Jerikor stated amused.
"No, you speak in our language, so of course I understand you!" said one of the warriors, a young man barely past 15. Ral and Jerikor looked at each other and shrugged. They didn't understand, but things could only get less complicated.
"What town is this?" Ral asked.
"You are in the town of Chi'sen, in the northern borders of the Meiji Empire," the same guard spoke.
"Who were those men?" Jerikor asked seriously.
"Raiders from the neighbouring town, their lords are greedy so he sends his troops to attack and steal our crops and metal, so that he can force us to join him. We try and fight against it, but we are poor farmers and smiths, not warriors." The young man said bitterly.
"So the Lord wants to take over this town?" Ral asked.
"No, he wants to burn this town to the ground as an example to the other towns that stand against him," the young man exclaimed, "We know that if he gathers his men, we would be no match for them."
The group had reached the building in the centre of town, and the two angels were shown in. "We take you to meet the town elder, she will be most interested in talking with you." They were led to a small room near the entrance, and were seated in comfortable pillows in front of a low table. After a while a short, white-haired old woman came in, and with some difficulty seated herself. She looked at the two angels, before speaking in a creaky old voice that sounded like nails clattering off an iron roof.
"I hear from my men, that you aided in the defence this afternoon. In fact I heard that you two alone routed their attack."
Ral and Jerikor exchanged looks, "No, if it was not for the timely charge of your men, I believe they may have killed us," Ral said respectfully.
The woman waved the comment away, "Regardless, you two are mighty warriors, and although my old eyes are weak, I can see that you are from far away."
The two angels nodded, "We actually don't know where we are, we travelled for some months in search of civilisation and your town is the first we have found since our time here," Jerikor stated.
The old woman seemed surprised, "Yet you speak our language so well, surely the town you come from is great and powerful."
"No, we were banished," Jerikor said simply.
"Ah," the woman said, and moved on. "Well, I would like to ask for your aid once more."
"How so?" asked Ral.
"I want you to train our warriors in the ways of combat, so that we may defend ourselves."
"Would you not rather we just kill this lord that bothers you?" Jerikor asked.
The old woman looked shocked, "No. No, that will not do, then his men would just come here and burn the town down and someone just as greedy would replace him. Besides we do not relish the idea of harming another human, no matter how evil they are."
"We understand, we would be honoured to train your defenders," Ral said.
Jerikor looked at Ral for a moment, a smirk forming on his face. Then merely nodded.
For the next few months, the two angels lived in the village, training the young men that came from the village and other villages who had heard of their prowess. Sometimes the two were forced to take direct action when the raiders attacked, but for the time being the two trained the warriors. Jerikor took the best warriors aside, and began training them even harder, pushing them to the very limits of their human constitutions. He trained them to be an elite warrior unit, not for defence but for offence. Trained to stalk their prey and strike when the time became right, and then disappear back into the darkness. Ral disagreed with Jerikor about the elite, but Jerikor's answers were always evasive and persuasive.
"We're not training these people to be hardened killers; they just need to be strong enough to defend themselves!" Ral argued one night.
"Sometimes, being able to defend yourself is not enough, sometimes, you need to be able to strike out against your foes," Jerikor stated calmly.
"What if they misuse their talents?" Ral demanded.
"They will not, their desire is only to be of service to the village and to their people."
Ral shook his head and let it drop.
But this state of affairs could not continue. Soon rumours claimed that the lord was furious and that he desired to take his revenge on this upstart village that dared to oppose him, and be successful at it for so long. It was said that he had gathered most of his troops and sent them marching against the town.
"Ral, I believe this is where we will part ways," Jerikor told Ral.
"What do you mean, Veo?" Ral asked puzzled, "The enemy are just outside, and with us here, victory is assured!"
"Ral, these people mean something to you, I can see that. They mean nothing to me."
"What, even after this time?"
"Listen, you need to stay here and protect these people, you wouldn't be happy with anything else. I can't stay here; I need to move on, to learn more."
"Then at least stay until these people's fate is secure!" Ral pleaded.
"I can't, however I will help in other ways. Tonight that greedy lord will meet a terrible fate, and he will understand the true meaning of fear as I stalk him through his own stronghold. When I'm finished with him, no one will ever want to emulate him ever again!"
Ral saw that Jerikor was not to be dissuaded. "Okay, although it will be hard without you here, I can see this is something I can't stop or change." He took Jerikor's hand, before kneeling in front of him, "Then I have one last request, bless me."
"I can't bless you anymore, it would have no meaning from one abandoned by God."
"Bless me, not for God, but bless me from your own power. Bless me for yourself."
Jerikor smiled, before placing a fatherly kiss on Ral's forehead. "I bless thee, be secure in my blessing, and let none of your enemies stand before you, let none of the lay you down, you are immortal in my blessing, and my blessing remains forever." Jerikor said smiling, before leaping over the wall and disappearing into the night.
Ral carved his way through the enemy soldiers, like a man possessed. No blade could reach him; no armour could turn aside his blow. His warriors followed their lord's example and fought like daemons. The enemy were shocked at their skill and ferocity; most were merely mercenaries, hired to slaughter a few farmers. They had not been expecting a large amount of skilled warriors led by a seemingly invincible warrior. Ral slaughtered his way into the very heart of the enemy army, his own forces protecting his read and flanks and beating back any counter attack. Jerikor's specially trained unit fought through the enemy forces, darting almost too quickly to be seen as they threw their daggers and slit throats with relish.
Ral eventually met the enemy general in single combat. Jin'tao was his name, and mighty was his reputation. He was tall and broad, almost as tall as Ral himself. His armour was stout and made of fine steel, his blade was sharp and rumoured to have been forged in the fires of a dragon. Standing against him was Ral, tall and powerfully built, wielding a simple woodsman axe and wearing no armour besides a plain leather smock. He had numerous cuts and was bleeding from a score of wounds. Still he stood proud and tall and his axe was still sharp.
"Ral. I hear your name everywhere I go, it seems you are immortal, that no man can defeat you," Jin'tao said, "Yet all I see is an upstart woodsman with more muscle than skill!"
"Jin'tao, your fate had been decided the day you stood against me," Ral said calmly.
Jin'tao merely smirked and leapt forward, his sword swinging towards Ral's chest. Ral ducked the slash, and spun in place, swinging his axe in a mighty ark, that Jin'tao tried to block. Jin'tao grunted in pain as he blocked the axe, and was sent sprawling by the force of the blow. Regaining his feet he speed towards Ral's exposed back, only to be caught in the chest by the but of Ral's weapon, as he staggered backwards, he tripped over a rock, which saved his life as Ral's axe swung where his head had been moments before. Ral's eyes widened in surprise as his axe swung too far and exposed his. Jin'tao smirked and thrust his sword toward Ral's back, Ral twisted desperately and the sword grazed his chest, drawing a line of blood. Ral smirked.
"Congratulations, you are the first to cut me. And I can guarantee that it will be the last thing you ever do!" Focusing, he sprinted forward, his axe trailing. He moved so fast that Jin'tao couldn't even react as the axe descended like a falling star, cutting him completely in half, and embedding itself in the ground. With the death of their general, the enemy panicked and tried to retreat, but were caught as they tried to run away by Ral's warriors and were butchered to the last man.
At that exact time, Jerikor walked away from the ruins of the mighty castle that had stood there moments before. He had set the lord and all his warriors outside the ruins, transfixed by their own spears and each had a look of complete horror upon his face. Jerikor smirked as he strode away from the ruins, "Humans are so pathetic, all they can think about is their own mortality and their own greed!"
According to some religious theories there are multiple realms of existence. One is Heaven, where God and His angels dwell. One is Hell, where Lucifer and his devils and daemons reside. Some claim that Purgatory is another realm of existence, a place where people who are waiting to be admitted into Heaven reside. The last Plane of existence is the Mortal Plane, Earth and the entire universe are within the Mortal Plane.
When God first created humanity, he set Angels to watch them and they were called the Grigori. They were not allowed to meddle with Humanity and were only to guard them against the temptations of the Devil. Eventually the Grigori began to meddle with humanity, teaching them the forbidden technologies such as fire and steel. They also took human brides and cross-breeding began. The progeny from these couplings were humans with divine blood, and were named the Nephilim or Nefilim. God, enraged by the Heresies performed by the Grigori cast them from Heaven and banished them to Earth, whilst releasing the Great Flood (Noah) to wipe the world clean from the Nephilim, however some survived and began rebuilding their power.
